Aluminum 5657 · temper
Aluminum 5657-H38
Properties of the H38 condition, compared with the other 5657 tempers.
Fully cold-worked and thermally stabilized 5657 sheet giving the highest strength of the bright-trim tempers with limited remaining ductility.
What is 5657-H38?
5657-H38 is 5657 in the H38 temper — fully cold-worked and thermally stabilized 5657 sheet giving the highest strength of the bright-trim tempers with limited remaining ductility. 5657-H38 has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi). 5657-H38 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 638°C (1,180 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 54 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
5657-H38 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5657-H38 — 36 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5657 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5657-H38 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 638°C (1,180 °F).
Mechanical10
5657-H38 has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
5657-H38 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5657-H38 conducts electricity at 54 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5657-H38 takes about 158 MJ of energy and emits 11.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 93% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability7
5657-H38's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5657 tempers and conditions
5657 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5657 overview.
- H38Fully cold-worked and thermally stabilized 5657 sheet giving the highest strength of the bright-trim tempers with limited remaining ductility.185 MPa yield · 55 HB
- H28Highest strength/stiffness bright sheet for flat panels, nameplates and reflectors with minimal forming.180 MPa yield · 50 HB
- H26Pick when trim sections need more dent resistance and springback control than H25, with only mild bending.160 MPa yield · 45 HB
- H25Standard stocked bright-trim temper: enough stiffness for roll-formed mouldings while retaining bend/draw ductility.140 MPa yield · 40 HB
- H241Special variation of the H24 half-hard temper for 5657 bright-trim sheet, balancing moderate strength with the surface quality needed for bright anodizing.140 MPa yield · 40 HB
- OChoose for severe stretch forming, deep drawing or spinning of bright trim before final polishing/anodizing.40 MPa yield · 22 HB
Working with 5657-H38
Is 5657 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to prevent built-up edge and smearing of the show surface.
Can 5657 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler, but the HAZ anneals and welds anodize a different shade, so joints should be hidden or mechanically fastened instead.
Can 5657 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent roll forming, bending and drawing in O/H25; protect the bright surface with PVC film and use clean, polished, chrome-free tooling to avoid pick-up marks.
What surface finishes work on 5657?
Designed for chemical/electro-brightening then clear or colour anodizing; buffing before anodize yields mirror trim, and film clarity depends on keeping Fe/Si low.
5657 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Mgsole strengthening addition | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Siheld low for bright anodizing | ≤ 0.08 | — |
| Feheld low to avoid grey haze in anodic film | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Gaspecifically limited for optical brightness | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.05 max | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Alremainder, high-purity base | balance | — |
5657-H38 — frequently asked
What is 5657-H38 used for?
5657-H38 is typically used for automotive exterior trim and mouldings, lighting and luminaire reflectors, appliance decorative panels, anodized nameplates and badges, bright roll-formed edge strips and mirror-finish interior trim. In short: super-bright anodizing sheet.
What is the yield strength of 5657-H38?
5657-H38 has a typical yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 5657-H38 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to prevent built-up edge and smearing of the show surface.
Can 5657-H38 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler, but the HAZ anneals and welds anodize a different shade, so joints should be hidden or mechanically fastened instead.
What surface finishes work on 5657-H38?
Designed for chemical/electro-brightening then clear or colour anodizing; buffing before anodize yields mirror trim, and film clarity depends on keeping Fe/Si low.
Can 5657-H38 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent roll forming, bending and drawing in O/H25; protect the bright surface with PVC film and use clean, polished, chrome-free tooling to avoid pick-up marks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5657-H38?
5657-H38 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5657-H38?
Yes — 5657-H38 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Aluminum Standards and Data (mechanical property limits, 5xxx sheet) — The Aluminum Association (2017)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 — wrought aluminium alloy composition and sheet properties — CEN (2019)
- ASTM B209 — Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (aluminium alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- Alloy 5657 sheet property listings — MatWeb (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.